Thursday, 6 October 2016

Did you know?

This feels like quite a funny question for me to ask. Did you know I paint figures for people for a living? I've avoided the subject for all of years this blog has been running because I've always seen this blog as a 'my toys' blog. But this morning I had an email from someone asking if I took painting commissions and I thought, hang on a minute, you've been looking at my blog for ages and the various links to it (on popular sites), and you might have talked to me at shows............I don't make a secret of what I do. Nor do I choose to advertise what I do on this site because I've always seen this site as 'commercially neutral'. This is my site to applaud the efforts of others and, of course, to brag a bit (I admit it). But, how many of you knew I was a commissioned painter? BTW. This is not an attempt to drum up trade. I started painting for beer money when I left hotel and restaurant management over ten years ago, now I make a living and my order book hasn't been completely empty for about six years (that was a crazy fortnight not taken full advantage of). I'd just be interested in knowing how many of you know I'm 'trade'.See Poll in the side bar.Thanks,JamesRESULT: 204 votes cast.Yes, I knew that: 28%No: 67%I thought this blog had sneaky overtones [should have been 'sneaky undertones']: 4%Frankly, I'm amazed. I thought the yes / no would be the other way around. The 4% who thought this blog was some kind of mind control gadget didn't surprise me, 3% percent of the male population are also psychopaths and............. (joke, boys).

I wasn't aware you were a full time commissioned painter, however I new you sold some of your figures, but I thought perhaps they were figures you no longer needed from your collections or special commissions for friends.

Christopher,Indeed, that is what I've sold via this site and it has mostly gone to friends.

There are a lot of painters who show the work they have done on their blog / site but I've never quite felt able to do that. The work I do for others belongs completely to them.

When I won best painted army at Salute, I freely, and without thought, gave the owner of the army the trophy. It was his army not mine. S.R. has remained a firm an valued friend ever since. Sometimes it's best to keep your head down.

Maybe you need to look at letting people know what you do, what you charge etc. somehow. As you say this blog is not for "work"..but it might bring in work. I might want i "thingy, or a "do dar" painting...and i'll need to know how much of the retirement budget this will take...

Of course I knew you are a professional painter.I always wondered how you could be so prolific with your own projects. I really appreciate that you keep this site free of professional advertising. There are already a lot of sites like that, your choice makes this place special.

James,I knew you painted commissions, and am glad to find out you are so successful at it. Of course, your talent definitely shows in your units here on your 'hobby' site. From one who can't paint eyes anymore on 28mm, keep up the good work!Joe

Well crap. I love your painting and had no idea!!!! Do you have a site with your prices and such? Crazy. Your armies are large and you paint for others ... I can keep up with my own stuff so have to supplement with other painters.

Hi Jay, no I don't. New clients usually come to me direct via a personal recommendation from an existing one. My email olicanaps@gmail.com (the PS is for painting service, not post scriptum) is in the side bar of the blog for people who might hear otherwise.

Hi Jay, no I don't. New clients usually come to me direct via a personal recommendation from an existing one. My email olicanaps@gmail.com (the PS is for painting service, not post scriptum) is in the side bar of the blog for people who might hear otherwise.

I won't mention the numbers, i'll leave that up to you when the poll is done. But you never have been pushy about what you do, its your style. Chris told me about you, all those years ago, and he mentioned you would paint a few figures for me. Then you and i talked direct, and you would paint a few Arthurian figures as and when i sent them to you. Never any problems, and i seem to recall you were not to long about it either. Then you did a few samples of WW2 for me, not your usual type of figure, but you were happy to have a go, and they were to your usual high standards.So you may be getting busy from this little "blog survey".